Paul Merson: My prediction for Arsenal's title showdown with Leicester

Arsene Wenger's men welcome the surprise leaders to the Emirates Stadium knowing defeat would see them fall eight points off the pace with 12 games remaining.

Leicester have lost just once in the league since Arsenal won the reverse fixture 5-2 in September and have beaten Manchester City and Liverpool in their last two games.

Merson thinks Arsenal's style of football could play into the hands of Leicester and believes the opening 25 minuets will be crucial.

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Man Utd v Arsenal. Sunday 28 February - Arsenal haven’t won a league game at Old Trafford in ten years. They could do with that changing at the end of the month

“Leicester absolutely slaughtered City so Arsenal have got to be careful”

Paul Merson

"Arsenal have to win this game for me but they are set up perfectly for Leicester, exactly the same as Man City were last week," Merson told Sky Sports.

"Arsenal will have loads of the ball and then bang, Leicester will hit them on the counter. Leicester absolutely slaughtered City so Arsenal have got to be careful.

"They are nowhere near as good a team as Arsenal but they play a certain way which can majorly hurt them.

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ON THE CHARGE: Leicester beat Manchester City last time out and have lost once since September

"This game will come down to how the first 25 minutes pans out. If Arsenal score early I fancy them to run away with it but if they don't I fancy Leicester.

"Arsenal will continue to bomb forward for a goal and that plays right into the hands of the league's best counter attacking side.

"However, having said that, Arsenal's class should prevail, but it wouldn't shock me one iota if Leicester won."